this prompted the education ministry to change its lenient education policy. >>> people in japan are reflecting on the past three years in determining whether a political party that promised change actually delivered. they cast ballots it this sunday at a general election when japan decides voters will be picking lawmakers for the lower house of the diet. they'll be using their ballots to keep the ruling democratic party in power or they'll send it packing allowing another party or parties to form the country's next government. these 12 groups met the criteria to be called a political party in this election. they include long-established parties and several new ones that were just founded. a number of other groups failed to meet the standards but are still fielding candidates. voters have a lot to think about. we'll be examining the key issues all this week here on "newsline." energy policy has emerged as one of the biggest points of contention in this election. at the heart of the debate is the notion of health, both of people and the japanese economic. nhk world reports. >> reporte